Ride Safety

EVENT RULES
For your own safety and the safety of others, there are rules you must follow:

1. You must wear an approved helmet.

2. You must wear a WNC Flyer bib, with the number visible from the back.

3. You must pull off the road to let emergency vehicles pass.

4. Please do not wear headphones or otherwise impede your hearing.

5. Please do not have personal SAG vehicles on the course. Personal SAG involves any vehicle which is on the course specifically to give you support, such as providing water, food and clothing. There just isn’t enough room for additional vehicles.

a. Stop at intersections when directed to by a Marshal – they are for your safety and to aid you in crossing intersections. They are not there to stop cars.

b. Stop at a rest stop and do not continue riding the course… when directed to by a Marshal – there may be a problem ahead.

c. Obey any other instructions – this is for your safety and the safety of others.

7. The Event Director may halt the ride, delay the ride or prohibit any riders to proceed past a certain point due to severe weather, unsafe conditions or other emergencies. If it becomes necessary to delay or halt the ride, the Course Marshals will communicate this decision to you.

8. Please be polite, respectful, and calm with the public, whether on the bike, on foot, or in a vehicle – even if they are frustrated or verbal – please do not respond in kind. Hand gestures are not acceptable, no matter how “right” you may be.

STATE LAWS
In North Carolina bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles. Traffic laws will be enforced for cyclists, and law enforcement may issue citations to riders who break the law.

1. You must obey all traffic laws.

2. You must come to a full stop at stop signs, flashing red traffic lights, or other traffic control devices.

3. You cannot block traffic by taking up the entire lane.

4. You must allow vehicles behind you to pass you by forming into a single file.

5. You must stay on your side of the double-yellow line at all times.

6. When you hear sirens and see lights, you must pull over to the side of the road and stop to allow emergency vehicles behind you to pass safely.

SAFETY TIPS

1. Please be aware that there may be wildlife on the course. Riders In other events have been critically injured by wildlife suddenly entering the roadway. Pleases stay alert.

2. There may dogs on this course – not all property owners control their dogs.

4. Marshals will be at each rest stop, wearing high visibility vests or orange caps. Any of these people can help you.

5. If you need non-emergency assistance, give a Thumbs Down to SAG vehicles.

6. In case of an emergency

· call 9-1-1

· and then SAG at TBD.

7. Your cell phone may not work in some locations as some of the course is beyond cell service.

8. SAG Vehicles and Rest Stops have Ham radios to report emergencies. Most Marshals can get help via Ham radio, so just ask.

SEVERE WEATHER POLICY

Thunderstorms with life-threatening lightning strikes are unavoidable in this part of the country. If you experience thunderstorm activity during your ride, it is up to you to evaluate the potential danger and take action.

Due to the unpredictable nature of weather, and a large course that may include severe weather in one part of the ride but no danger in other parts of the ride, it is the sole responsibility of each rider to determine the danger of the weather.

We recommend you follow this guidance from NOAA Weather Service:

If you can hear thunder, then you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Lightning strikes can be fatal.
Take shelter to protect yourself from a strike.
Remain in that sheltered position until you cannot hear the thunder for at least 30 minutes.
If caught outdoors and no shelter is nearby:
Find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low to the ground and make yourself the smallest target possible.

Inclement Weather: In the event of dangerous weather conditions, the organizers reserve the right to cancel the ride. Entry fees are non-refundable and not able to be deferred to the next year.